Taxonomy of the cerapachyine ant genera Simopone Forel, Vicinopone gen. n. and Tanipone gen. n. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) 3283
Bolton, Barry
Fisher, Brian L.
Zootaxa
2012
2012-04-30
3283
1
1
101
Bolton & Fisher
2012
[151,370,1852,1878]
Insecta
Formicidae
Simopone
Animalia
Hymenoptera
47
48
Arthropoda
species
elegans
( Figs 43–45) WORKER ( holotypein parentheses). HL 0.88–1.24 (1.01), HW 0.58–0.88 (0.70), SL 0.21–0.34 (0.27), EL 0.27– 0.34 (0.32), PW 0.46–0.70 (0.57), AIIW 0.48–0.68 (0.54), AIIL 0.54–0.80 (0.62), AIIIW 0.53–0.68 (0.62), AIIIL 0.54–0.75 (0.62), WL 1.04–1.44 (1.20), MFL 0.46–0.66 (0.55), CI 65–71 (69), SI 36–43 (39), EL/HW 0.39–0.47 (0.46), EP 0.74–0.84 (0.77), AIIW/AIIL 0.84–0.90 (0.87), AIIIW/AIIIL 0.90–1.00 (1.00) (10 measured). Very similar to grandidieriand generally matching the description of that species, but differing as follows. FIGURES 43-45.Lateral, full face and dorsal view of body. Simopone elegansworker CASENT0499354. Leading edge of scape with one or two projecting setae that are inclined toward the scape apex. Cephalic dorsum to level of posterior margins of eyes with sharply defined microreticulate ground sculpture between larger foveolate punctures. Eye tends to be slightly farther forward in elegans(EP 0.74–0.84) than in grandidieri(EP 0.80–1.00). In full-face view sides of head often, but not always, with a very few short, projecting setae. Mesotibiae and metatibiae usually without standing setae, but one or two may be present (for instance, one is present on left mesotibia of holotype). AII longer than broad in dorsal view; AIII as broad as long to slightly longer than broad. Tergites AII to AIV usually with 1–2 pairs of setae anteriorly and sometimes 1–2 pairs near posterior margin of each segment, but numbers are variable and some abrasion is suspected. In the type-series sternites of AII–AIV have no setae, or at most have 1–2 short setae close to the posterior margins; setae on these segments are generally more apparent in the non-paratypic material. Dorsum of mesosoma usually retains at least traces of microreticulate ground sculpture, but this is generally more feebly developed than on the head between the eyes. Holotypeworker (top specimen of three on pin), Madagascar: Prov. Mahajanga, P.N. Baie de Baly, 12.4 km337° NNW Soalala, 10 m, 16°00.6’S, 45°15.9’E, 26-30.xi.2002, BLF#6890, ex dead twig above ground, tropical dry forest, CASENT0492213 ( B.L. Fisheret al.) ( CASC). Paratypes. Two workers mounted on same pin below holotype; two workerswith same data but CASENT0492214 ( CASC). S. elegansexhibits the same size-related variation that is shown by grandidieri. Within the type-series HW varies from 0.58 to 0.74 and CI from 66 to 71.
Non-paratypic material examined. Madagascar: Prov. Antsiranana, Forêt Anlabe, ENE Daraina ( B.L. Fisher); Antsiranana, Mgne Français, Pic Anosiravo, SE Diego Suarez ( B.L. Fisher).
2002-11-26
2002-11-30
2002-11-26
CASC
P. N. Baie de Baly & B. L. Fisher
Madagascar
10
-16.01
Baie de Baly
127
45.265
49
50
1
Mahajanga
holotype
CASC
49
50
1
1
paratype